Question

Hi, so for my biology class we have to create a podcast about research done around the field of animal physiology. I found several papers explaining some of the adaptations of the bar-headed goose under hypoxic conditions, which allow them to fly at such high altitudes. The goal of this podcast is to "highlight the benefits of taxpayer-funded, discovery-based research in the field of animal physiology."

What I found for this single researcher was that:

-The bar-headed goose has moved its mitochondria in the muscle cells closer to the sarcolemma region (and hence closer to capillaries), which decreases the distance in which oxygen must travel to enter into the mitochondria.

-Has a larger lung and the left ventricle is much more vascularized compared to other lowland birds.

-bar-headed geese breathe more deeply rather than increasing their breathing frequency

So with this in mind, I cannot come up with a good "selling point" onto how this is beneficial to taxpayers. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Somehow have to relate this to everyday problems.